WFMW: The Great Parenting Advice Edition
Realistically, although I have a ton of stuff I could say on the topic, I think what most moms probably want to know from me is how to raise a daughter who cheerfully dresses modestly.
- Start early. If you dress your three year old in a bikini, it will go harder on you when you don’t allow your thirteen year old to wear one.
- Talk about the reasons modesty is important. Beginning at around age nine is not too young.
- Allow her to be beautiful in her own way and to reflect her own personality in her clothing. In other words, don’t try to make her a clone of you!
I’ve posted before on this topic for WFMW. See more parenting tips at Rocks in My Dryer.
Also, and unrelated: it is impossible to pay attention to your kid(s) and talk on the phone at the same time. Hang up. You can usually email the person later.
One last little-known fact: parents are just as sleep-deprived during their children’s late teen years as they are when the kids are babies. They just don’t tell you about it unless you ask.
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Teen Style Tuesday: What Not to Wear According to Skillet
First, about firsts. Not like baby’s first haircut, that type of thing, but the way all of the sudden life is pitching more and more opportunities that I am not prepared for. Like a press conference. Whatever possessed me to offer the first question at my first one?
Me: “… what advice would you give young people who want to honor God by their personal appearance?”
Measurable silence.
John Cooper of Skillet, quietly, looking around while opening his bottle of water: “I’ve never been asked that before.”
Me, looking for a rock to hide under: “I’ve never been to a press conference before”.
Everybody laughs.
Buy their record,
John, his wife Korey, and drummer Lori. Both ladies played the show in their very modest outfits pictured here.
Ultimately, the answer to the question centered around modesty (imagine that!), and led into a follow-up question by the moderator about Christian t-shirts. John mentioned two in particular which I agree are inappropriate.
Have you seen the ones advertising Free Hugs? Speaker Justin Lookadoo
Rub your body here
on the front and
because I’m lonely and desperate
on the back.
There was also a t-shirt sold at the festival that said I (heart) hard core christian guys. Oh yeah? How many?
What, may I ask, is the tackiest “Christian” t-shirt you’ve seen?
Back to the theme of being unprepared or unskilled to do all the things I would like to do, I consider the simple act of asking a question at a press conference more of a success than a failure. I tried. But most of my challenges these days are in the technical arena.
Can anyone tell me how to edit the CD of the interviews and post it to the blog? I’d be willing to send you my itunes card with 15 or 20 songs from Creation artists.
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Creation Northwest: It’s a Family Event!
photo courtesy of Creation
I’m back home! Before I get too deeply wrapped up in everyday life, as well as posting the fun stuff I brought back from the music festival for you, I want to give you “the big picture”. Creation is a family event.
By far the majority of people in attendance were polite and well-behaved. The beer stands were closed. The music family friendly. But safety is my concern. In my opinion, keeping young people healthy and hydrated is a job for parents. Consider the stats: 21,000 people, a handful of trees, and at least 4 rattlesnakes.
Who would you trust with your child for four days in a survival situation?
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My Interview at 5 Minutes for Mom
And speaking of interviews, when I asked for a press pass for Creation (which I honestly never would have thought of if it weren’t for my affiliation with Coutorture) it never occurred to me that I could be in the Press Conferences. As busy as I was just before, I don’t know if it would have made any difference anyway.
Tune in tomorrow for a report on my embarrassing moment with the nicest band on the planet. (Hint: they’re named after a frying pan.)
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Sunscreen is My Friend
I’ve been as sweaty as I’ve ever been these past couple of days, but no major sunburns. At the always low price of $1, I can afford all the elf lipgloss with spf 15 that I’ve been using.
Current elf deals:
FREE SHIPPING on $45 order. Coupon:SHIP45
Pick your FREE gift!
Today I did forget one important thing. While I haven’t gotten significantly sunburned this event, the top of my head is a little pink where my hair parts.
What safe sunning tips would you like to share?
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I’ll Explain Later
Me, looking not as chic as yesterday, with Leon and Jill from The Lesson Factory, Eugene OR. If you decide to come to this event, Jill’s outfit is a real “do”.
More on Leon’s later.
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Live Blogging from Creationfest
Live blogging. It’s not what I thought it would be. For one, there’s no internet available on-site.
Creation Festival Northwest is a camping event, but since my parents live less than an hour away I am able to stay at their house (good food, nice showers, lovely lakeside accomodations). My computer will stay here too.
Yesterday may well be the sweatiest day of my life.
The first night line-up was awesome: Hawk Nelson, Superchick, worship leader Phil Wickham, speaker Justin Lookadoo (yes, that is his real name), Jars of Clay, and Relient K. Followed by late night comedy by Nazareth.
Fashion topics I want to get back to:
- Hawks: mo-, faux, and Nelson
- Wearing white!
- Har-de, Har, Hars of Clay
- and more
Notice my new bag? I probably paid too much for it; $15 at the thrift store. I know little about it: the exterior looks great; the interior has very little wear but doesn’t look especially high quality; the label says: genuine leather, made in Brazil, and Guy Laroche. But it’s terribly practical! One, when using a public restroom, or “honey bucket” like we have at Creation, the little bag part can sit right on my lap. Two, when I was down in the front of the floor for Relient K last night, I had this little extra breathing space created by having the bag right in front of me. He hee.
More later.
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What to Wear: Creation Northwest
You can all relate: I got back exhausted Saturday, from a week of (fun) work, with my entire family and all our dirty laundry (one had been gone since July 1st!), and three days to turn laundry around before heading out again. Initially my goal was to lay everything I was packing for Creation out on the bed - neat, tidy, and coordinated - and take a picture of it for you.
You’ll have to settle for this:
My template:
long-ish lightweight shorts + short- or cap-sleeve button-up shirt
And sunscreen. Lots of it.
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Secrets to Dressing Slimmer
Wendy sent me the link to this article in Canadian Living: 8 secrets for dressing slimmer. My favorites:
- Go monochromatic
First off, wearing a monochromatic colour scheme is elegant and flattering to all body types, explains Collins. Even wearing an all-white suit, for example, will look good on someone trying to dress slimmer because it doesn’t chop up the body. The last thing you want to do is chop up your look with a different colour, which could make even a slim person look stocky. - Stop hiding behind baggy clothes
Make sure clothes fit you properly, Collins suggests. Wearing clothes that are too baggy can easily add the illusion of five to 10 pounds to your frame and make it look as though you are hiding behind something, she says. On the other hand, wearing clothes that fit properly — not too baggy and not too tight — exudes confidence.
When we did the Friday Fashion Lab on Is Black Slimming?, Wendy asked if I thought cut & fit or colour had more to do with a slimming effect. Definitely cut & fit! Unfortunately, that’s also the more challenging to achieve.
But having clothes that fit well is by far worth it. Which no doubt accounts for the experts’ use of tailors.
Do you have a favorite dressing slimmer tip?
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Where I’ve Been and Where I’m Going
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the conversation during my week of “vacation” (I was really working very hard as kitchen staff at a Christian camp). Next up: Creation Festival 2007 at the Gorge Amphitheater (no - that doesn’t say “arm pit heater”, although it will be hot!), overlooking the Columbia River at George, WA.
What to wear to a music festival … ? As cute as the dresses are that Liebemarlene pictures, I will most likely be wearing something more similar to what I wore to church at the beach, but with better shoes. (I will probably even take the hat: it is cotton, so I can get it wet to keep my head cool.)
Being a Christian music festival, I was delighted to notice that Creationfest has a dress code, which I have copied for you here from their website.
Leaders, Chaperones and Parents: We need your help in enforcing this policy — our staff cannot do it alone! MODESTY is the key word. While the style and fashion these days seems to be “less is best,” we do not want to be guilty of causing another person to stumble. Girls: Bathing suits are NOT permitted, except in the showers. Clothes must be put on over your bathing suit for the walk back to your campsite from the showers. Tank tops are fine but bellies must be covered (even though the fashion now is to show it off). Shorts and/or skirts need to be long enough and shirts big enough. Guys are not exempt from the dress code: SHIRTS (and shoes) MUST be worn by all at all times.
Lord willing, and technology cooperating, I will be live-blogging from the event, with an emphasis on what the attendees are wearing. Thankfully, the Creation Fest promoters are more sensible about issuing press passes to bloggers than the organizers of San Francisco Fashion Week.
Are any of you going? Tickets are still available. If you are, let’s get our picture taken together!
